The first phase of its revamp was approved at a planning committee meeting on December 11, meaning work can now begin to create new retail space inside the village and a new footpath linking to the nearby train station.

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All of the planning applications are part of owner Landsec's grand design to completely revamp the shopping village.

It is hoped the improvements will attract more shoppers to the outlet and new retailers to the area.

Burger joint Five Guys is just one retailer which has recently announced plans to open a branch at the retail park near the shopping village in the coming months, with the hope that a licence will be approved in the next few weeks.

Landsec took over the shopping village in May 2017, becoming the leading owner-manager of outlet centres in the UK in the process, and its aim is to make Freeport one of the best outlet destinations in the UK.

The design and layout of the centre could be facing a huge shake-up, as it is currently described as having "confusing access, inadequate parking, some insufficient design of the retail units and a dated character".

Here are the main changes

New shop fronts

An artist's impression of the design of the middle mall (Image: Holder Mathias Architects/ Carter Jonas)

There will also be further changes made inside the shopping village to a number of the shop fronts, with units adopting either a 'Modern Openings' or 'London Mews' theme.

The London Mews theme applies to the Middle Mall only. It aims to achieve a "warm, homely character' to not only enhance the shopping experience but to attract more upscale brands to the area.

Shopfronts on the outer mall will have the Modern Openings theme.

New North Entrance

An artist's impression of what the north entrance to Braintree Freeport could look like upon completion (Image: Holder Mathias Architects/ Carter Jonas)

Perhaps the biggest change coming to Freeport is the construction of a new entrance at the north of the site.

The north entrance will be completely demolished to make way for a new contemporary barn-style facade.

Ideas for the new barn entrance, which is being designed by Holder Mathias Architects, were originally agreed in September 2018.

According to the design and access statement, Landsec wants to create a "clear and welcoming" entrance using a "contemporary barn form" with a "simple, subservient, pitched roof wing" to each side.

Three new retail units

The Ralph Lauren store opened in October, but could be relocated into the new Anchor Unit

If approved, there could be three new shops coming to Freeport.

This will be incorporated into the new northern entrance, which will also feature a management suite and visitor centre.

Another new retail unit, known as the Anchor, is expected to be filled by Polo Ralph Lauren and will measure 1,290 sqm.

It has already been approved by the council's planning committee by unanimous decision on December 11.

It means the part demolition of two other units.

New footpath heading to train station

Also already approved is the new footpath linking the railway station to the retail centre.

New slip road to the car park

How the road currently looks (Image: Google)

According to the design and access statement, Landsec wants to see improvements made for vehicles to access the shopping centre, including a new slip road to the northern car park from the B1018 Millennium Way.